Double Date Read Online Free PDF Page B

reflection in the display window.
    â€œDid you have a good time with Bree last night?” Samantha demanded.
    Before he could reply, she laughed and pointed across the aisle. “Look at those people! Do you
believe
them!” she cried scornfully. “They’re eating hot dogs, nachos, and ice cream all at the same time. Think they know the way to the food court?”
    â€œFat chance,” Bobby joked. “Uh-oh,” he said quickly, “I’m starting to sound like Arnie!”
    â€œArnie? Melanie’s boyfriend?” Samantha asked.
    â€œYeah. He’s my best friend,” Bobby told her.
    â€œWeird,” she replied.
    He didn’t understand her reaction. But he didn’t have time to question her. She pulled him into the Gold Barn.
    â€œI thought you didn’t like to shop,” he protested.
    â€œI don’t. But I
love
earrings!” she exclaimed. She dangled the two large gold hoops from her ears. “See?” Then she turned to the wall of earrings.
    Bobby glanced back through the small store. It was long and narrow with a display counter across the back and walls of earrings on both sides.
    â€œMy cousin worked here one summer,” he told Samantha. “The owners know me.”
    â€œThrills and chills,” she commented sarcastically. She handed him the gold hoops. Then she playfully pushed him out of the way to try on a long, dangly pair of silver earrings.
    â€œHelp me with these,” she said, holding her hair back with one hand to insert the earring in her pierced ear. “Oh, wait. I like those better.”
    She reached for another pair and held them up to him. “Look, Bobby. Silver fish. Aren’t they great?”
    He nodded.
    â€œWhich do you like better—the dangly ones or the fish? Oh, never mind. I’ll try them both.”
    As she tried on the first pair, Bobby turned to the display counter in back. He didn’t recognize any of the salespeople.
    His eye fell on the large sign in the center of the wall. In bold red type it declared: SHOPLIFTERS WILL BE ARRESTED AND PROSECUTED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW.
    He juggled the two gold hoops in his hand. They looked like solid gold. But they were actually hollow and light.
    â€œExcuse me, miss,” a saleslady called out from across the store. Samantha was reaching for a pair of delicate gold heart-shaped earrings. “It is against store policy to let customers try on pierced earrings. Please don’t put on any more.”
    â€œSure, no problem,” Samantha said with a smile. “Aren’t these great?” she asked.
    â€œGreat,” Bobby replied without enthusiasm.
    â€œI could shop for earrings all night,” she told him.
    â€œWow. This
is
going to be an exciting night!” he teased, rolling his eyes.
    She turned to him, her eyes lighting up. “You want excitement?” She seemed to be challenging him.
    He grinned. “You know my reputation,” he boasted. “I’m always pumped for a little excitement.”
    â€œOkay,” she said, grinning back. “Let’s go.” She started to the door.
    â€œHey, wait!” Bobby hurried after her. “Your earrings!”
    Samantha didn’t look back. Walking with quick,steady strides, she continued toward the open doorway.
    Bobby ran to catch up with her. He had her gold hoops in one hand. He grabbed her shoulder with the other. “Those heart earrings—you didn’t pay for them.”
    He glanced back at the salespeople behind the counter in the back. Were they watching?
    â€œI know I didn’t pay for them,” Samantha whispered, shoving her earrings into her pocketbook. “Let’s go.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Bobby demanded.
    â€œI’m taking a hundred percent discount,” she said casually.
    As they stepped into the doorway, they heard a loud, urgent call from the back of the store: “Young lady—stop!